Skip to main content
    Food & Wine Classic in CharlestonNovember 13–15, 2026Pearl members: $500 off passes
    Pearl app wordmark
    Restaurant

    White Maize

    Chelsea, New York City

    Restaurant in New York City, United States

    The Read

    Dress

    Casual

    Why go

    White Maize is worth choosing for a casual Venezuelan arepa meal, especially when dietary flexibility or group ordering matters. The strongest use case is lunch, dinner, delivery, or a low-key gathering built around arepas, empanadas, tequeños, and cachapas, not a tasting menu or cocktail-focused night.

    About White Maize

    In New York City, White Maize is a casual, $$ venue focused on Venezuelan arepas. The clearest way to understand it is through its staples: arepas, tequeños, empanadas, cachapas, and burritos. Those items define the useful decision-making frame, because they point to a meal built around familiar Venezuelan comfort foods rather than a broad, heavily documented restaurant concept. Choose it when those dishes are the reason for the meal, rather than when you need a highly documented fine-dining format or a specific service amenity.

    Book it for Venezuelan arepas and casual comfort

    The strongest reason to choose White Maize is its focus on Venezuelan arepas. Arepas are the headline, with tequeños, empanadas, cachapas, and burritos also part of the known signature-dish set. That makes the venue easiest to recommend for diners who want a casual Venezuelan arepa meal in New York City, especially when the priority is a direct, dish-led choice rather than an elaborate dining room narrative.

    The price level is $$, so the practical expectation should be a casual meal rather than a luxury occasion. That positioning matters: it suggests a place to consider when you want the comfort and specificity of the core dishes without treating the outing like a high-production reservation. White Maize offers Venezuelan arepas in a casual setting at a moderate price tier.

    Do not choose it based on extras. The confirmed case for White Maize is food-focused, not built around a documented cocktail program, tasting menu, chef’s counter, or formal dining setup. Let the arepas and related staples carry the decision. For a broader scan of city options by category, use Our full New York City restaurants guide, Our full New York City bars guide, or Our full New York City experiences guide.

    The practical read: casual, $$, and centered on the core dishes

    White Maize is best read as a casual New York City option for Venezuelan arepas and related staples. The dress code is casual, and the known price level is $$, so expectations should stay grounded in an easygoing meal rather than a formal special-occasion format.

    For ordering, focus on the signature dishes: arepas, tequeños, empanadas, cachapas, and burritos. That list is the most reliable guide to what the venue is known for in the provided record, and it keeps the plan anchored in confirmed information.

    The clearest Pearl verdict: pick White Maize when you want a casual Venezuelan arepa meal in New York City at a $$ price level. It is a better match for diners making a food-first decision around arepas and nearby staples than for anyone trying to verify a long list of amenities in advance. Skip it if your decision depends on specific amenities, a formal service style, or a documented drinks-led experience. For adjacent trip planning beyond restaurants, see Our full New York City hotels guide and Our full New York City wineries guide.

    Venue detailsStreet Scene
    Know before you goBefore you book
    Explore New York CityNearby
    Around this placeMore Pearl picks

    Planning details

    Location
    277 Smith St, New York, NY
    Website
    whitemaizebk.com
    Phone
    +13479462493

    Venue details

    Ambiance

    Compact, simple, and rustic, with warm hanging lights and wooden features, White Maize is a vibrant and delightful space for Venezuelan food.

    Tags

    Vibe

    CozyRustic

    Best For

    Casual HangoutGroup DiningFamily

    Experience

    Standalone

    View

    Street Scene

    At the Table

    Dress Code
    Casual
    Noise Level
    Conversational
    Service Style
    Casual
    Meal Pacing
    Standard
    Capacity
    Small
    Kitchen
    Traditional
    Menu Format
    A la carte
    Dietary
    Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten-free options
    Outdoor Seating
    Yes
    Opened
    2016

    Signature Dishes

    • arepas
    • tequenos
    • empanadas
    • cachapas
    • burritos
    Know before you go

    Know Before You Go

    Getting there
    277 Smith St, New York, NY

    Planning details

    Location

    277 Smith St, New York, NY · Directions

    +13479462493

    whitemaizebk.com

    Explore New York City

    Around this place
    Read more on Pearl

    Discover more on Pearl

    Unlock the full White Maize guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.

    FAQ

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What are alternatives to White Maize in New York City?

    If the goal is Venezuelan arepas in New York City, White Maize is the relevant pick in this guide because it is for Venezuelan arepas, cachapas, empanadas, tequeños, and burritos. For a different style of meal, compare it with other New York City dining options more generally.

    Is White Maize good for a special occasion?

    White Maize is a casual, $$ New York City option for Venezuelan arepas and related staples.

    Is White Maize worth the price?

    White Maize is a $$ venue, so it is most compelling if you want a casual meal centered on Venezuelan arepas, tequeños, empanadas, cachapas, or burritos rather than a more formal experience.